get up, get out, get living: October 2014

Food for Thought: a kind of lottery winner

7:00 am

A Call to Arms: Turtle Conservation Program

10:00 pm

My first call to arms. Volunteer Opportunity: Turtle Conservation Program. Click the link for complete details! Organized by local conservation group, Save Philippine Seas in partnership with Route +63. Deadline for application is October 28, 2014.

I'm supporting and endorsing this program because of different reasons and convictions; let me just take some time to explain and hopefully enlighten you about why this is so close to my heart.

I have always loved the sea. It's a side effect of living in a country that has over seven thousand islands to explore, I think. I've only ever been to around 20 islands, but I've spent enough time in the ocean to be completely mesmerized by its vastness and beauty. As far as my memory takes me, I have always loved the ocean. To humans, it's a mystery. Just beneath the surface could be a dolphin! Or a jellyfish.

I try to look past what the sea means to humans (source of food and fun) - it's a home. Home to different species of different sizes, all of which play a crucial part in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Often, I feel that people forget that the ocean is part of our home just because we spend our time on land.

This foundation of love and awe led me to volunteer in different marine-related events and organizations. One turning point for me, in terms of devotion to the ocean (rhyming is fun!), was when I packed up my bags shortly after finishing school and flew to Costa Rica. I had signed up for a Turtle Conservation Program similar to the one Save Philippine Seas (SPS) has organized. I set off wanting the program to move me so much that I would drop everything and blindly devote my entire life to marine conservation; instead, what happened was that I realized that it didn't matter that I would, but how I would do that. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I learned more from the experience than I thought I would. One of the amazing things I learned during my time there was the scale of their eco-tourism; they had everything from volunteer programs in schools, construction of schools and homes, conservation in forests and in the ocean. it gave me a hope and vision that the Philippines could strive for something similar in the years to come. For me, this program represents what could be a new turn in the environmental happenings in the Philippines.

Not mentioned in the details / bonuses:

shorts weather all day everyday

awesome surfing spots in La Union

meeting other like-minded individuals

So if you have some extra time and lovin' to give our home, apply for the Pawikan (that's Tagalog for sea turtle) Watchers Program!

Pia x

bad blood

I'm too sensible to take drugs; can concerts be my vice instead?

11:08 pm

My personal recipe for the perfect concert experience:

Good seats/view - you shouldn't have to watch through binoculars (or big screen); if it isn't reserved seating.... IT. IS. ON.
Put your camera down! - yes, you have that itch to record and immortalize the experience, but remember that you didn't come to watch through your camera screen
Comfy shoes - like a good buzz, some artists are so good that you forget that sharp pain you get from wearing heels and just dance the night away - but there will always be that dread of coming down from your concert high and realizing that (a) you've ruined your favorite pair of heels or (b) you've ruined your feet. Why not skip the pain and, instead, wear a comfy pair that you don't mind people accidentally stepping on?

lastly - and if you don't have this last bit, it is a major setback to the perfect concert experience recipe

Go with the friends who are just as excited as you are - none of this "too cool to-" nonsense; we should be able to shout out lyrics accurately and off-key during the concert

I watched the Bastille concert last April with my sisters and cousin; we lined up early enough to be front and center during the concert, which basically made the entire concert seem like a very upbeat and energetic serenade. It was a lot of jumping, dancing, singing, and freaking out about how amazing they were live.

Because we were in front, we were able to interact with the band a bit - Dan looked at us a bunch of times (I've got proof! See below), no doubt pleased that we were singing along the entire time, and when Dan went into the crowd during Flaws, we got to have a brief "conversation" with Will about his shirt. And at the end of the show, we threw a rose up on stage which Will got and said thanks! #goodvibes

Imagine my initial reaction when I looked through my camera's videos and found this gem:

As a fan, it doesn't get better than the eye contact + nod combo. Except...

That picture on the left was during the "secret" show sponsored by The Peak 102.7 outside the Vancouver Maritime Museum earlier that same day. I snapped this before they even played the first song! My completely biased interpretation of the picture: He is a happy puppy staring into my soul/telepathically telling me to enjoy their set (which I did).

I'll be watching Bastille again when they come to Manila on January 5th! Perfect way for me to start 2015 in my opinion. Can't wait!

Oh, if you wanna check out a video compilation of some of the videos we took at the concert, click here. :)